It’s time to focus on the Europa League again. Celtic face SC Braga in their second match in the competition. Brendan Rodgers will be looking for a win and all three points at home. He will have to consider his starting lineup carefully to make that happen, with some big decisions to make for the Northern Irishman.
Saturday's match against Hibernian was quite a mixed bag in many ways. At times, the performance from Celtic was very good, with swift, crisp passing, and the ball moving more quickly forward than in some recent showings. But that all tired as the game went on, and it came to nothing in terms of goals, although at least chances were being created.
That match also saw some lineup changes. Players like Kieran Tierney were rested. Others, like Anthony Ralston, made a return. Rodgers’ starting XI against Hibs also saw a few changes in midfield with Luke McCowan and Arne Engels making a start in place of Benjamin Nygren and Reo Hatate.
What clues does that all offer for Thursday's starting XI? The answer is not many at all, it maybe raises more questions. For the Champions League Playoffs against Kairat Almaty, the lineup was much more predictable. Largely due to fewer signings and options available for Rodgers. But now, he has a few more decisions worth mulling over.
Celtic predicted starting XI vs SC Braga: Rodgers makes big decision
He definitely has more choices he can make this week. Though you can still see the lack of quality in depth in the squad. Rodgers can’t change that now so has to select his players wisely from what is available in the squad. Here’s how we see the XI lining up to face Braga.
In defence, Rodgers will almost undoubtedly start with Kasper Schmeichel in goal. It’s a game for experience and leadership and the Dane has plenty of that. Along the back four, Tierney returned for games like this and should take the left back slot despite Marcelo Saracchi's impressive display against Hibernian. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales will be expected to fill the central slots. Auston Trusty is available again and can add depth to the bench.
Right-back could be interesting. In the absence of Alistair Johnston, we’ve seen youngster Colby Donovan step up when replacement Anthony Ralston was also injured.
Could Rodgers have been resting Donovan against Hibs with a view to a start in Europe? While we’d applaud the boldness of that, the expectation is for Ralston's experience to give him the edge and the starting slot. Do not be surprised if the opposite happens though, thanks to the youngster's impressive displays.
In midfield, Rodgers has already spoken of the advantage Nygren has over Engels in terms of scoring goals. The Swede will likely start alongside Callum McGregor. Engels didn’t show enough against Hibs but with Reo Hatate likely to be still out from a hamstring injury, the Belgian could get yet another chance.
Upfront it’s surely Kelechi Iheanacho as centre forward. He’s looking more ready each game. His link-up play also brings others into the game nicely. The team has been missing that sort of forward play for a while now.
That just leaves the two wide players to select. Sebastian Tounekti has made a great start at the club and his trickery and getting to the byline could be critical on Thursday night. While he takes up the left flank slot, that displaces Daizen Maeda from his preferred position.
Maeda joins several players who could start wide right. Michel-Ange Balikwisha hasn’t yet impressed enough but will take a place on the bench. That leaves James Forrest and Yang Hyun-jun as contenders with the Japanese international.
Celtic expected starting XI to face Braga
Schmeichel
Ralston
Carter-Vickers
Scales
Tierney
Nygren
McGregor
Engels
Tounekti
Iheanacho
Maeda